Greenway projects linking Eastern Market, downtown, Wayne State set for completion next year

Five Detroit greenway projects that are scheduled to be completed next year are expected to result in 20 miles of continuous paths for walking, running and bicycling to and from key spots in Detroit.

Those involved in the Link Detroit project plan to gather this week at Eastern Market in Detroit to celebrate construction, which began last month. The greenways will join with existing paths to connect downtown, Midtown, Eastern Market and Hamtramck.

"Link Detroit will be the lynchpin in 20 miles of connected urban greenways, extending from the Detroit River to the cultural institutions of Midtown and Wayne State University, and linking Hamtramck to Eastern Market via walking and biking paths," organizers said in a statement.

Detroit got a $10 million federal transportation grant in 2012 for the work that was matched by local and philanthropic contributions for the project.